Libraries

Libraries

I’ve had some very special library experiences over the last few weeks, which inspired me to think about the importance of libraries in my life, overall. As a kid, the library was a haven for me. Our neighborhood branch was less than a mile from our house. On...
Right on Time

Right on Time

January 7, 2020, is publication day for my picture book Hosea Plays On (Sterling Children’s Books, illustrated by Shane W. Evans)!  Based on a real street musician and community advocate, Hosea was originally slated for September 2018. I won’t tell you I wasn’t...
Connections

Connections

Connection. It’s the thing that draws me to a particular story. It has to be there, in order for me to spend the time with an idea required to develop it into a story. I have to care about what I’m writing about. One of the projects on which I’m...
The Start of My Journey

The Start of My Journey

My journey of seeing myself as a writer began when I was in 4th grade, thanks to an encouraging teacher. My journey as a professional writer began with this great lady—the last person on Earth who would ever think anyone would want to know her story. I called her...
Poignant Places

Poignant Places

The setting for my upcoming picture book, Hosea Plays On, is the City of Rochester Public Market. The Market has been a part of my life since I was a child. I used to ride the bus with my grandmother (Gaetana!) and witness her barter with vendors, as she collected...